THE AARD VARK OR EARTH HOG 



Also called the Ant Bear and Ant-Eater 

 (Orycteropus afer) 



Isambane of Zulus and Swazis ; Ibenxa of Amazosa ; Takadu of 

 Basutos ; Takkaru of Bechuanas ; Goup of Namaquas. 



The Aard Varkor Earth Hog, so called because of 

 its burrowing habit and pig-like shape, is found in 

 all parts of South Africa, and ranges as far north 

 as Somaliland and Egypt. Although there is but 

 a single species or kind now recognised, the Aard 

 Vark, like most other species of animals, differs 

 slightly in form atid colour in the various districts, 

 forming what are known as local races. 



These slight differences in the form of the skull, 

 teeth and colour are, however, not sufficiently 

 pronounced to justify us in separating the Aard 

 Vark into two or more species, although, it is true, 

 some naturalists have made a new species, of this 

 animal north of the Zambesi, and have named it 

 Orycteropus athiopicus. This variety diflFers from 

 the typical ' Sou^th African Ant. Bear in having a 

 longer inner toe cto the fore-foot, a more scanty hair 

 covering, and a shorter snout and tail. 



The Aard Vark grows to about the size and 

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